” The paper begins by providing a conceptualisation, exploring the various theoretical arguments and debates surrounding the dominant party system and democracy. The following section then seeks to provide an understanding of the nature of the dominant party system in the South African political setting. This is done through a brief overview of the nation’s three democratic elections and examination of both the ruling ANC as dominant party, and the role and nature of political opposition in South Africa. This is then followed by an analysis and discussion of the implications of this system and the challenges for South Africa’s second decade of democracy.”
